Safety operating mechanism



H. DE SMITH.

SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPUCATION man IULY3. m9.

1,354,895, Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

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H. DE SMITH.

SAFETY QPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, l9l9.

Patented 00$- 5, 1920.

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A TTORN E Y.

H. DE SMITH. SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICAUDN FILED JULYH, I919.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

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INVENTOR. k

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY DE SMITH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO M. D. KNOWLTON COM- PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

Application filed July 3, 1919. Serial No. 308,608.

. member, and has for its object to provide an improved safety operatlng mechanism designed to preclude the possibility of the operators hand or fingers becoming injured by the presser member during the operation of the machine.

T he invention, while applicable to machines of various kinds, is here shown as incorporated in the box-form of a box-end ing machine. In these machines, the boxform is mounted on a reciprocating carrier and is caused to cooperate with a stationary presser member to press an interposed end blank onto the enpl flan es of a box blank carried by the form. fn accordance with the preferred form of my invention here shown, the box-form ,is made in two sections, one being adapted to be rigidly connected to the form carrier and the other be ing movable relatively thereto. Associated with this sectional form are automatic means which are normally operative to maintain the outer or prcsser section in yielding relation to the other until just prior to the form reaching a position for pressing engagement with the work, a1'1d to then effect a positive connection between the sections to hold the'presser one in fixed or unyielding relation 'to the other. Thus, if any. obstruction, such as the operators hand or fingers, is encountered during the working stroke of the form, no harm will be done as the outer or presser section of the form at that time is in yielding relation to the other section and its actuating means. If, however, no obstructionliesin the path of the moving form, the automatic means will operate to render the presscr section unyielding relatively to the other just before it reaches its work-pressing position and so cause it to perform its Work-pressing function.

Referring now drawings-- to the accompanying Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a box-ending machine having a box-form embodying my invention mounted on the reciprocating carrier thereof.

Fi 2 is an enlarged plan view of the box: orm removed from the carrier, with part of the same broken away for the clearer illustration of certain of the parts.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the same taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same on a reduced scale, with a part of the lower section broken away to more clearly show the connection therewith of the adjusting screw for varying the width of the form.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the raised position of the lower fonm section relative to the upper one which takes place upon the upper section being stopped in its normal movement by some extraneous object, such as the operators finger, being caught between the form and the upper cooperating presser member. I V

Fig. 6 is a similar View, partly broken away,-sh owing the connection or support between the lower and upper sections in the operativeposition it is caused to assume in the normal operation of the machine just before the box-form reaches its work-pressing position.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail showing the adjustable connection between certain parts of the supporting devices for holding the upper form section rigid relative to the lower one, and

Flg. 8 1s a perspective VIGW .of a box blank as it appears prior to having the ends lied thereto.

.he box-endingmachine here shown is a belt-pulley '7.

ii i 1t 10 having inwardlly turned flanges, such as shown in Fig. 8, is placed on the box-form with the flanges at one end resting upon the top of the form. An end blank is then led by the machine in usualm'ann'er to a position on top of these flanges, after which the terme so s d t sa wit h n per head or presser member 10 of the machine to press the end blank onto the box flan es, a suitable adhesive previously applied to oneo r both of said parts causing them to firmly adhere when thus pressed together. In manipulating the work in the operation of these machines, it sometimes happens that the operator gets his hand or fingers caught between the top of thebon form and the cooperating presser member 10, with resulting injury to them. To prevent the possibility of this has been the purpose of the present invention.

The box-form comprises two main sec tions, the lower one, indicated at 1 1, being adapted to be rigidly attached to the car rier 8 in any usual or suitable manner, and the upper section, indicated at 12, being adapted for the direct support of the box blank.

The upper section 12, which is made up of adjustable parts as will. hereinafter be described, is vieldingly supported in a.

40 normally elevated position above the lower one by means of springs 13 located at the four corners thereof. As a means for guiding the upper section when moved vertically relatively to the lower one, as permitted by these s rings, guideins 1'4 areprovided at the our corners 0 the form which are attached at their upper ends to the upper section by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 15, and at their lower ends ex- 9 bead nd o 'ih e dsepen g 16 in the lower section. As a means to limit the upward noveinent of the upper section relatively to'th'e lo'wer one under the action of the sprin s 13, pins or screws 17 on the lower sec ion are arranged ,to en age with suitable stop shoulders 18 on tie guidepins, as shown Fig. 3. These guide-pins in the resent case are made tubular to receive t e per ends of the springs 13,

which latterat their lower ends are located in the ide openin s 16 in thedower section. fii thi's way t e springs are housed a r t td frominju y- Tliii u er section of the form is yieldr t rgly w the i n: we and its actuating carrier during the upward movement of the form until the latter reaches a point in close proximity to the upper prcsscr member 10, say to a point within approxin'iately one-quarter of an inch therefrom or so close as to prevent the entry of a persons hand or fingers, at which time it is necessary to render said upper section rigid or unyielding relatively to the lower one, whereby it will be caused to exert the necessary pressure upon the interposed work. The means here shown for doing this comprise two pairs of rocking mam'bers 20, 20, suitably journaled in transversely arranged bearings 21, 21, in the lower section adjacent opposite ends there of, as shown in Fig. 2, which members are provided at their outer ends with eccentric portions 22, adapted to be rocked to andv from a. supporting position beneath foot extensions 23 of the upper form section.

As a means for rocking these members to and from their supporting positions at the desired time in the operation of the machine, each pair is connected, in a. manner to be hereinafter described, with an inter mediate rock-shaft 25. These rock-shafts are provided with crank arms 26 which are connected by a link 27, which latter as here shown is provided with a. cross-arm 28 carrying at its opposite ends two vertically arran ed operating members 29 which project slightly above the upper surface of the form, as shown. As a means to guide the link 27 and hold it against lateral displacement, it is engaged by two forked studs 55, 55, on the lower form section.

During the upward movement of the boxform, the supporting members 22 will be maintained in their inoperative position, as shown in Figs. 3 and .1, whereby the up per form section may yield relatively to the lower one, until the operating members 29 come into contact with the 'upper press-er member 10, either directly or through an interposed end blank, after which continued npward movement of the form will cause said operating members29 toact through the described connecting linkage with the supporting members22,fto rock the latter to their operative supporting position beneath the extensions 23 of the up er form section, as shown in Fig. 6. W en thus supported, the upper form section becomes rigid or unyieldin with relation to the lower one and theref bre caused, u f on the continued upward movement of: the orm, to cooperate with the upper member exert ithe required pressure upon the interposed work. If, however, an obstruction of greater thickness than the length of the projecting ends of the operating members 29 such, for instance, as'the operators hand or fingers be comes accidentally located between the oxforni and theupper resser member during r of pins which are slidably 7 both shafts 2 through up of a the upward movement of the box-form, the

upper form section wiil be stopped in its movement upon the obstruction contacting with the upper resser member 10 and thereby permit the eccentric supporting members 22 carried by the lower form section to be moved up past the lower ends of the feet 23 of the upper section to a position opposite the outer ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 5, where they will be held inoperative and against rocking movement when the operating members 29 are subsequently brought into engagement with the upper presser member 10. Because of the supporting members being held against rocking movement in this way, a yielding connection is provided between the same and the operating members 29 in order to prevent damage or breakage to the parts when said operating members are forced upward into on agement with the presser 10. This .yie ding connection as here shown is provided by making said operating members in the form mounted for vertical movement within tubular arms 30 on the cross-arm 28, and locating springs 31 within said arms uponwhich the pins are seated, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These springs are made stifl enough toassure proper operation of the supporting members 22 from the pins 29 when there is no interference with the normal working of the ma chine, but they will yield sufliciently to prevent breakage of the parts when the upper form section is stopped by an obstruction in the manner referred to.

Upon the descent of the box-form follow ing its pressingengagement with the work, the supporting members '22 will be returned to their inoperative positions of disengagement with the upper form section by suitable automatic means. This means comprises a spring which is mounted on a pin 34: attached to the lower form section and is adapted to expand between a head 35 on said pin and a lever arm 36 depending from one of the rock-shafts 25. 'Pressure of this spring against the lever arm 36 will rock the connection 27, to return the connected supporting members 22 to their inoperative positions, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, as soon as the pins 29 are lowered from engagement with the presser member 10.

The boxform may be made up in any suitable or desired way. As here shown, it is made adjustable to receive box blanks of different sizes. In providing for this adjustment, the upper form section 12 is made pair of laterally adjustable side mem 4d), 40, having inwardly projecting ex tensions 41 at one end slidably connected with an end member 42, and the lower section 11 is made up of a base 4-3, adapted for bers ' has been effected, the

attachment to the carrier 8, and a pair of plates 44, 4:4, slidably mounted thereon for lateral adjustment; these plates 44 on the base 43 being provided to carry the lower ends of the connections between the upper and lower form sections, such as the guides L-i and rocking supports 22.

As a means for adjusting the width of the form, an endwise-stationary screw 45 is provided, having right and left hand screw threads engaging the opposite plates 44, H. Rotary movement being imparted to this screw, as by means of a wrench applied to either of its squared ends, will cause a lateral movement of the opposite sides of the form toward or from each other, as desired. After the desired adjustment of the form parts may be secured in adjusted position by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 46, which engage the lower plates 44:, and the screws 47, which connect the extensions 41 of the upper members 40 with the end member 42. An annul'ar collar 48 at the center of the screw 45 engages the base 43 within an opening 49 therein to hold the screw against endwise movement. The peripheral groove 50 shown in this collar is provided to permit of the vertical movement of the link 27 when being operated to rock the supporting mombers 22.

As hereinbefore referred to, each pair of the supporting members 22 are connected with an intermediate shaft 25 by which they are forked to and from their operative supporting positions. This connection is made by forming the inner or adjacent ends of said members with tubular portions to receive the opposite ends of the shafts and connecting such parts with transversely ar ranged pins 51.. These pins at one end extend into short slots 52 in the bearings 21 on the adjustable plates 44 of the lower form section, which slots extend transversely of the axis of the supports 20. In this way a connection is made between the supporting members and the plates 44 which will cause the same to move together upon any lateral adjustment of the form such as hereinbefore described. To permit of such adjustment of the supporting members relatively to each other and to the connecting shafts 25 the openings 53 in the shafts through which the pins extend are made elongated. as shown in Fig. 7 If the form was not adjustable, as described, each pair of the supporting members and their intermediate connection could of course be made in one part.

In the present instance, the rocking supporting members are held to their normal inoperative positions under the action of the spring 355, by the engagement of the pins 51 with the end walls of the slots 52, as shown in Fig. 2.

gHavingthus set forth one practical embodiment of my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is a machine of the kind described, the combination with two coiiperating presser members and their supports, and an actuator for reciprocating one of said members toward and from the other, of a connection between one of the presser members and its support which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member unyielding relatively to itssupport, and means for controlling the action, of the connection to render it operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the presser members said means including an operating member carried by one presser and actuated by engagement with the other.

2. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with two cooperating presser members and their supports, and an actuator for reciprocating one of said members to ward and from the other, of a rocking connection between one ofthe presser members and its support which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative .to main min the member unyielding relatively to its support, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the presser members, said means including an operating member carried by one presser and actuated by engagement with the other.

55. In a machine ofthe kind described, the combination with two cooperating presscr members and their supports, and an :u-tuntor for reciprocating one of said members toward and from the other, of a plurality of rocking connections between one of the presser members and its support which are capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member unyielding relatively to its support, and means for controlling the action of the connections to render them operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the presser members, said means including an operating member carried by one presser and actuated by engagement with the other.

4. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with two cooperating presser members and their supports, and an actu ator for reciprocating one oi said members toward and from the other, of a connection between one of the presser members and its support which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member unyielding relatively to its support, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the presser members, said means including an operating member carried by one presscr and actuated by engagement with the other,

connection between anda yielding connection between said operating member and the connection operated thereby.

5. In aanachine of the kind described, the combination with two cooperating presser members and their supports, and an actuator for reciprocating one of said members toward and from the other, of means yieldingly holding one of the members in a nor mally projectcdposition beyond its support, a connection between said yieldingly-held member and its'support which is capable oi being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member unyielding relatively toits support, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it opera tive just prior'to pressing engagement of the work by the presser members, said means including an operating member carried by one presser and actuated by engagement with theother.

6. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with two cooperating presser members and their supports, and an actuator for reciprocating one of said members towardand from the other, of a connection between one of the presser members and its support which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member imyielding relatively to its support, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the prcsser members, said means including an operating member :carried by one presser and actuated by engagement with the other, and means or automatically rendering the connection inoperative followingthe workgerforming operation of the presser memers.

7. In amachine of the kind described, the combination with two cooperating presser members and their supports, and an actuator for reciprocating one of said members toward and from the other, of a rocking the reciprocating memher and its support which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the member unyielding relatively to its support, means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative just prior to pressing engagement of the work by the presser-members, said means including an operating member carried by the reciprocating presser and actuated by engagement with the other, and means for automatically rendering the connection inoperative following the work-performing operation of the presser members.

8. In a box-ending machine, the comhination with the presser-head and the reciprocating box-form carrier movable toward and from said head, of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising lower and upper sections, the upper section being divided into means for controlling the parts adjustable relatively to each other tovary the size of the form, means yieldingly holding the upper divided section in a normally projected position above the one, a connection between said sections permitting of the said adjustment of the upper one and capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower one, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative just prior to the box-form reaching the end of its working stroke.

9. In a box-ending machine, the combination with the presser-head and the reciprocating box-form carrier movable toward and from said head, of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising lower and upper sections divided into parts which are adjustable relatively to each other to vary the size of the form, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position above the lower one, a connection between said sections permitting of their adjustment and capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower one, and

action of the connection to render it operative just prior to the box-form reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating member carried by the box-form and actuated by engagement with the resser-head.

10. In a box-ending machine, the combination with the upper resser-head and the reciprocating box-form carrier movable toward and from said head, of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising lower and upper sections divided into parts which are adjustable relatively to each other to vary the size of the form, means yieldingly holding the upper divided section in a nor mally projected position beyond the lower one, supports carried by the lower section movable to and from an operative position for engaging the upper section to hold it unyielding relatively to the lower one, said supports having connection with the box-form sections in a manner permitting of their said adjustment and means for shifting the supports to operative position just prior to the ox-form reaching the end of its working stroke.

11. In a box-ending machine, the combination with the upper presser-head and the reciprocating box-form carrier movable toward and from said head, of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising lower and upper sections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position beyond the lower one, rocking supports carried by the lower section movable to and from an operative osition for engaging the upper section to old it unyielding lower 1 relatively to the lower one, a linkage connecting said supports for moving them in unison, and means for moving the supports to operative position just prior to the boxform reaching the end of its working stroke.

12. In a box-ending machine, the combi' nation with the upper presser-head and the vertically reciprocating box-form carrier movable toward and from said head, of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising lower and upper sections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position beyond the lower one, rocking supports carried by the lower section movable to and from an operative position for engaging the upper section to hold it unyielding relatively to the lower one, a linkage connecting said supports for moving them in unison, means for rocking the supports to operative position just prior to the box-form reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating pin assoc'ated with the linkage and projecting beyond the upper surface of the boxform for engagement with the presser-head, and means for automatically returning the rocking supports to inoperative position upon the downward or return movement of the box-form.

13. A box-form for machines of the kind described, comprising two sections, means yieldingly holding one section in a normally projected position beyond the other, a connection between the two sections capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain one section unyielding relatively to the other, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative.

14. A box-form for machines of the kind described, comprising two sections, means yieldingly holding one section in a normally projected position beyond the other, a rocking connection between the two sections cap able of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain one section unyielding relatively to the other, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative and inoperative.

15. A box-form for machines of the kind described, comprising two sections. means yieldingly holding one section in a normally projected position beyond the other, a rocking connection between the two sections capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain one section unyielding relatively to the other, and means for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative and inoperative, said means including an operating member projecting beyond one of the sections for engagement with actuating means.

16, A box-form for machines of the kind described. comprising two sections, one of which is divided into parts adjustable relathe size of tivel v to each other for varying said parts the form, means for adjusting relatively to each other, means yieldingly holding the divided section in a normally projected position beyond the other one, a connection between said sections permitting of their adjustment and capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to mailitain one'seetion' unyielding relatively to the other, aml 'n'ieanie for controlling the action of the connection to render it operative and inoperative.

Signed at Rochester. in the eonnty of Monroe. and State of l\eW' York, this 20th day of June A. D. 1919.

HENRY D I) SMlTll. Witnesses:

THo's; D; P TON, HUBERT J. lWhRTIN. 

